WEST PLAINS, Mo – Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) has again implemented increased levels of visitor restrictions as of March 25, to continue to help reduce the possibility of spreading COVID-19 throughout the community. OMC joins many other healthcare organizations including CoxHealth and Mercy, in proactively deploying these restrictions as recommended by the CDC and the Missouri Department of Health.
As of March 25, OMC is ONLY allowing visitors in the following areas:
- End-of-life care: The patient’s clinical team can make exceptions at their discretion.
- Pediatrics: One parent or guardian per day.
- Labor and Delivery and Postpartum: One support person for labor and delivery patients.
- Visitors in the areas of the hospitals not mentioned above will not be allowed.
These restrictions are for the safety of the community and the patients inside the hospital. Visitors meeting the above criteria may visit during normal visiting hours. Limitations and clarifications are as follows:
- Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at entry.
- Visitors who show symptoms of suspected COVID-19, who are not seeking treatment, will not be allowed into OMC facilities.
- Visitors are restricted to only the patient’s room and public restrooms.
- Please note: No one under the age of 18, except for those seeking medical care, will be permitted into OMC facilities.
- ICUs: No visitors except end-of-life care.
- Procedural Areas: One visitor who has been identified as the designated driver for the patient may wait in their vehicle until called.
- Emergency Departments and Urgent Cares: One visitor who has been identified as the designated driver for the patient may wait in their vehicle until called.
OMC continues to operate to meet the needs of the communities they serve. These proactive steps are put in place to limit the possible transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses. OMC will continue to provide care to all who seek treatment at their facilities.
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to dominate the news and social media, it may be easy to lose focus on the most important things we should all be doing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 within our community. The single most important thing we can all do is to continue practicing strict social distancing.
“With no known vaccine or cure, we must combat this virus and slow its spread by practicing social distancing and staying home. We all need to prioritize the safety of our community above our inconvenience,” says Samantha Wallace, DO, MBA, Medical Director of Hospitalists, OMC. “It is quite possible to inadvertently carry and spread the virus by not appreciating the seriousness of COVID-19, and failing to follow these important mandates.”
If we can all follow the directives of our public authorities, we can all do our part to help slow – and eventually, stop – the spread of this contagious virus. If you have questions about exposure or symptoms, please call the Missouri COVID-19 hotline at 877-435-8411.
Ozarks Medical Center is a system of care encompassing eight primary care and 17 specialty clinics, along with complete rehabilitation, behavioral healthcare, and home care services. While the 114-bed acute care hospital cares for more than 5,400 admissions, the entire medical system has more than 364,000 patient visits annually in South Central Missouri and Northern Arkansas. For more information about OMC and coronavirus, visit www.OzarksMedicalCenter.com/Coronavirus.
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